Ten Years of Impact: Spotlight on the Ukrainian Team

— By Iryna Roik and Ira Drobot

Every successful team evolves over years: refining internal processes, growing, navigating crises, and carefully selecting individuals with the same core values. This year, our global organization and the American team are celebrating a decade of impactful work: 10 years of working shoulder-to-shoulder across continents. The Ukrainian team, which came together after the russian full-scale invasion in 2022, has quickly become a cohesive and effective force. As if being lifelong friends or an old couple, the Ukrainian team understands each other, trusts, and keeps working together for the sake of peace.

Challenges? Yes, But Only with Courage

Our boots on the ground, the Ukrainian team is the highlight today. Despite facing constant russian shelling, power outages, and the heart-wrenching loss of loved ones, the team continues working. These circumstances are close to a nightmarish HR experiment of stressful team building. Yet, it is the reality.

Our Ukrainian team finds the strength, time, and resources to ensure every humanitarian project — whether serving 10 people or 200 — makes a meaningful impact, saves lives, and brings hope for better days ahead. These individuals know what they are working toward.

Across Ukraine with Dedication

The mantra “There is absolutely no safe place in Ukraine” seems not to affect our Ukrainian team. They are everywhere where help is needed, even, and especially, following the next brutal attack on civilians. The team operates autonomously and remotely, with offices and warehouses in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Lviv. Project leaders, managers, lawyers, and all those who keep the assistance workflow running smoothly, are spread across Ukraine. Otherwise, Nova Ukraine would not have earned its status of helping the most vulnerable, identifying the unique context of each region, and the needs of certain populations. Nova Ukraine can respond accordingly thanks to the Ukrainian team.

An Annual Gathering of Hearts and Minds

Staff-away days are gold. For the Ukrainian team, these days are a once a year chance to unwind for a fraction of time and to recharge: away from Zoom screens, close to one another, and away from daily horror-movie stress. In July 2024, the team met for three days at the Global Gathering 2024. It was the time to connect, share experiences, and recharge for the next deeds.

Reflections from Team

“P.S. Life isn’t perfect, but there are perfect moments.”

Team gathering is not about mere relaxation, but also about learning, reconnecting, and making processes more efficient. Different training sessions allowed team members to improve communication skills, set tasks, and enhance team cooperation. A good team member never says no to a team-building workshop. And our Ukrainian team didn’t make this mistake either, especially with workshops that focused on deep listening and understanding — essential elements for effective teamwork.

“I’m sincerely thankful for the well-thought-out program. I enjoyed the trainings. The topics and speakers were perfectly chosen.”

Difficult times have difficult questions, and no absolute easy answers to the constant thoughts on the minds of our Ukrainian team. Strategic discussions covered dreams, missions, and the challenges facing different teams — it was a team psychotherapy session.

“It was really cool; I loved working with the team. It showed me firsthand how different departments collaborate.”

And wherever a Ukrainian goes, so also goes our traditional clothes as the marker of our identity. Viktoriia Drach, the Ukrainian team director, showcased her collection of Ukrainian traditional clothing.

The gathering was a time to reconnect, and recall what peaceful and calm life feels like. A time when you and your surroundings shape your emotional state, rather than by external threats. Last, but not least, it’s about a safe getaway. Even if it’s a short-lived illusion of safety, the Ukrainian team had a chance to let their guard down.

“I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to feel safe for the first time since the war began!”

Gratitude to the Supporters and to the Team

We deeply appreciate every person who dedicates their time, energy, and attention to helping Ukraine during this challenging time when independence, freedom, and democracy are on the line. We are incredibly fortunate to work with the best — individuals who share our values and continually strengthen one another.